Hi, I am looking at purchasing a 2020 BMW X3 with 34,000 miles. It is the inline 4 variant with an 8 speed automatic transmission. I tried telling my wife to get a Lexus but she won’t have it. I wanted to know if one of these will become a money pit like their earlier models. For context we just got rid of a 2006 BMW X3 with 150,000 miles that became a money pit. I don’t want to be burned again but it’s hard to argue with her. Thank you Scottie and thank you to the rest of the community!
Was, is, and ever shall be.
At the same time, if your wife wants and X3, there really isn’t much you can do to talk sense into her. You may have to just get the endless money pit.
Why would you want another one after the previous one gave you expensive bills? Realize that the newer ones (with more technology) will give you even more expensive bills and a potential nightmare.
The newer BMWs are still endless money pits. Get something else.
They're pretty much all over-engineered junk. You might get 100k miles relatively trouble-free out of it. They're toys for the rich, and BMW knows that, so they lowered their quality standards. Their clientele don't care how long they last, or what the charge to be fixed. They pass it on to the next person every few years and buy a new one.
There's endless plastic crap under the hood, most won't tolerate non-OEM fluids or parts, etc. Scotty harps on this constantly. If they were good cars like a Lexus, they would hold their value. The BMW's value drop like a stone because everyone knows they're expensive to fix. Lease it if your wife will not buy the Lexus, then you know how much you'll be out at the end of the deal, and they are on the hook for repairs, not you.
I drove an '86 E28 for a few months when it was almost 30 years old. That car was simple to work on and repair. These new BMWs aren't of the same breed. At all.
These answers confirmed my suspicions, hopefully we can look at different options like Lexus’ offerings. Thank you everyone!
How did your previos X3 became an endless money pit? What did you need to do?
The radiator had a major leak, there is a pretty bad oil leak from the oil pan and the biggest problem is the crankshaft is throwing a code that requires replacement to turn the check engine light off. All the repairs totaling way over the value of the car itself.
Yes they are, more so than ever.
Tell your wife she's wrong.
TBH, there is no talking sense into her (or wives in general). Once their mind is made up, their mind is made up.
With that said, maybe offer to go compare other cars, just to see what these others have to offer. But don’t try to sell her in the car itself. Don’t push he towards a decision. Just go and see other cars to learn what is new in the industry with direct competitors from other companies.
Take her to see latest generation Lexus NX and an Acura RDX. But no pressure to buy either one. Just look. Feel. Touch. Maybe test drive.
Best case scenario, she chooses the NX. Second best scenario, she chooses the RDX. And if all else fails, you are left again with the X3.
If you really can't get out from under having to have an X3 look into leasing a new one. That way you just turn it in and walk away before it starts to fall apart.
